Pipe joint mold



June 22, 1954 Filed Sept. 10, 1952 G. P. KlLLlAN ET AL PIPE JOINT MOLD 2 Sheets-Sheet l BY W ATTORNEYS INVENTORS June 22, 1954 G. P. KlLLlAN ET AL PIPE JOINT MOLD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 10, 1952 ATTORNEYS Patented June 22, 1954 UNITED STATES 'ATNT OFFICE PIPE J OINT MOLD of Delaware Application September 10, 1952, Serial No. 308,812

9 Claims. 1

The present invention relates in general to molds for the application of corrosion-resistant coating materials to pipe joints, couplings and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to collapsible mold troughs to be assemblecl about field joint couplings of gas main sections, to facilitate molding of corrosion-resistant coatings about the field joint.

The invention is particularly designed for use in connection With pipe lines or mains for distributing city gas, and Will be described in connection with such specific application. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is suitable for use in connection with pipe systems generally, such as for forming lead coated joints in plumbing systems and the like.

A particularly troublesome problem incident to the maintenance of pipe and conduit systems for city gas is that of corrosion control or mitigation. Pipe lines and pipe systems for conveying fuel in a gaseous state require special coupling procedures in constructing the field joints for intercoupling the various pipe .sections of the system, to prevent the escape of gas from the field joints. Since these gas pipe lines are usually laid in the soil, special measures must be taken to corrosion.

It is preferable in constructing such gas pipe lines to form the coupled sections thereof of steel pipe. Steel pipe, however, intensifies the corrosion problem as contact of certain soils with the surface of the steel pipes sets up galvanic action which releases steel ions from the pipe. This release of. steel ions is exhibited as corrosion. In order to avoid the corrosive effect of soil on the steel surface, the pipe must be coated continuously throughout its length to insulate the surface from contact with the soil. Steel pipe seotions employed in such pipe line are now supplied by commercial sources With a layer of coating material extended continuously along the pipe section to a point adjacent each end of the pipe section. These coatings are usually formed of hot coating enamel made out of pitch, asphalt or other bituminous products.

When such commercially available steel pipe sections are assembled to form a pipe line, the coupling elements between the respective pipe Sections and the area of the pipe immediately adjacent the field joint are in an uncoated state, and must be completely coated. with corrosionresistant material after the coupling has been assembled in position in the pipe line. It has been the conventional practice heretofore, to

form this coating in a manner completely surrounding the coupling joint, by wrapping sheet material about the coupling elements and joint and extending beyond the ends of the preformed coating on the commercially supplied pipe sections, defining an enclosed area into which molten material may be poured about the joint. The sheet material forming the wrapping is bound at each end to the surface of the joint pipe sections and openings are left in the upper portion of the wrappings through which the molten coating material can be poured.

This method of coating field joints is attended by many practical diificulties and disadvantages. Skilled labor must be employed for wrapping the joints, as the process of wrapping the joint and pouring the molten material must be done with precision and two 01' three laborers are usually required to accomplish the several simultaneous Operations. The area of the field joint coupling must be very carefully and precisely wrapped to insure that the poured coating extends over the entire joint area and overlaps a portion of the end of the coating on each adjacent pipe section.

Further, this method of coating pipe or field joints does not insure adequate protection of the bottom portion of the pipe. As the pipe and field joint usually rests in a trench and the sheet material Wrapping extends in the form of a sling extending underneath the pipe, it is extremely difiicult to prevent the wrapping from being pressed against the bottom of the pipe joint, resulting in uncoated or inadequately coated areas along the bottom portions of the pipe joint, which are unprotected from corrosion.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is the provision of a novel collapsible mold for applying corrosion-resistant coating materials to pipe joints and the like which obviates vthe disadvantages incident to the above described methods of coating pipe joints.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel mold to be applied to field pipe j oints and couplings in gas conduit systems, which are adapted to receive and mold corrosionresistant coating about the pipe joint continuously over the uncoated areas of the pipe and joint.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a collapsible mold for coating pipe joints and couplings with molten corrosion-resistant material, which may be readily assembled into an efiicient mold without the use of skilled labor.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel mold trough for forming corrosion-resistant coatings about pipe joints2 wherein only a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank of sheet material arranged to be formed into a mold trough embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a mold trough assembled from the blank of Sheet material shown in Figure 1, illustrated in position of a typical field joint;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the assembled mold trough embodying the present invention;

Figure is a VVertical longitudinal section of a portion of the assembled mold trough embodying the present invention, illustrating specifically the manner in which the end of the mold trough is formed;

Figure 5 is a Vertical transverse section of the collapsible mold trough illustrated in assembled position on a pipe line, taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 2.

The present invention is concerned with a mold trough for forming coatings of corrosion-resistant coating materials about field joint couplings between gas main pipe sections, which trough is formed by folding a blank of cardboard or other SheetV material into an upwardly opening rectangular receptacle, the walls of which are properly positioned relative to the components of the field joint coupling to insure a proper depth of coating material by the particular arrangement of the parts of the trough. This mold trough` employs a novel arrangement of parts formng the end walls thereof affording a strong end wall which may be conveniently applied around the previously laid pipe Sections, and

from the following detail description had in con-V junction with the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures. Referring to the perspective view in Figure 2, the present invention is designed to form an upwardly opening rectangular mold trough, indicated generally by the reference character Hi, which is to be applied about a field joint such as indicated by the reference character ii for coupling the ends of adjacent pipe sections forming a gas main. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, there is shown a pair of adjacent pipe sections l'joined at their ends by a coupling of the type known in the trades as a dresser coupling, indicated by reference character 13, which generally comprises a plurality of fianged clamping platesV embracing flanged ends of the pipe sections and secured together by longitudinal bolts.

The steel pipe sections [2 of the type commonly used in the trade for such gas mains, are provided with pre-formed coatings of corrosion-resistant compositions which extend substantially the length of the pipe Sections and terminate; as indicated by reference character 14, at a point near each end of the pipe section, leaving exposed steel pipe surfaces M' at the ends of the pipe sections. The function of the mold trough IO is to form a receptacle by which a continuous coating of corrosion-resistant material can be molded about the dresser coupling E3 and exposed steel pipe surface Hi' to form an uninterrupted extension of the pre-formed coatings on the pipe section and thoroughly encase all portions of the pipe line to resist corrosion.

The mold trough H) of the present invention is formed from a-.fiat blank of cardboard or the like, so that the mold troughs can be cheaply produced and stored and supplied in fiat condition, occupying a minimum of Space. The cardboard blank |5 is generally rectangular in shape, and comprises a central bottom panel 16 of rectangular shape, bounded by rectangular side wall panels H and l hingedly connected to the central bottom panel IB by rectilinear Scores i 9. The side wall panels H and l are adapted to be folded into upright position at right angles to the bottom panel l and to be secured in this position. To this end, the side wall panels l'i and li are provided with securing tabs 23 disposed substantially midway of the length thereof, the ends of the securing tabs 20 being adapted to Slightly overlap each other when the side wall panels -I'l and |8 are in upright parallel condition. One of the tabs 20 is provided with a metal fastener tongue 2| adapted to be projected through an accommodating aperture 2 i in the other seouring tab ZE! and folded upon itself to secure the side wall panels in upright position.

The end Walls of the trough i, generally indicated by the reference Character 22, are of a novel construction designed to produce a strong end wall which can be conveniently extended around the pipe sections [2 but resist seepage of the molten coated material. Each of the end walls 22 is formed of an inner end wall fiap 22'',V

and intermedial end wall fiap 24, and an outer end wall fiap 25, adapted to be disposed in overlying relation to form an end wall of three thioknesses of the cardboard sheet material. The end Wall fiaps 23, 2:3 and are hingedly connected by scores 25, li, 28 to the side wall panels W and l and bottorn panel I, respectively, the score lines 26 and El occurring along a side of the end wall fiaps 23 and 24 when in erected position and the score line 23 being disposed at the bottom of the end wall fiap 25 when in erected position. The end wall vfiaps 23, 24 and 25 are separated from each other by cuts 29 and occurring at each side of the end Wall flap 25 and constituting in effect continuations of the score lines IS bounding the central bottom panel IB.

The inner and intermediate end wall flaps 23 and 24 are each provided with circular pipeaccommodating apertures 3i defined by circular score lines 3|' and orange peel sectors 32 extending from the circular score lines 3l' to a central opening 33. The radial cuts 32' forming the orange peel'sectors 32 are alternately spaced on the intermediate end Wall flap 24 relative to the corresponding cuts on the inner flaps 23, so that when the flaps 23, 211 are in overlying position, the orange peel sectors of the intermediate end wall fiap 2d cover the cuts 32' defining the orange peel sectors of the inner end wall fiap 23.

Each of the end Wall fiaps 23, 24 are provided with inclined slits 34 extending from the central opening 33 of the pipe-accommodating aperture 3| to the free side of the fiaps 23, 24, so that the flaps may be extended around the cylindrical pipe section to dispose the pipe accommodating aperture 3| in position about the pipe section |2. The inclined slit 34 of the end wall fiaps 23 and 24 extend from the central openings 33 in opposite directions When the end wall fiaps 23 and 24 are in erected overlapping positions, to avoid weakening of the trough end wall.

The outer end wall fiap 25 forms in effect a retaining ring for the intermediate and inner end walls 24 and 23, and to this end is provided with a circular opening 35 of the same diameter as the circular score line 3|' of the end wall fiaps 23 and 24, and a slot 36 extending from the circular opening 35 to the edge of the outer end wall fiap 25 disposed opposite the score line 28, to permit the halves of the end fiap 25 defined by the slot 36 to spread around the cylindrical pipe section |2 and dispose the circular opening 35 around the pipe Section. Metal fastener tongues 31 are provided in the free end of the outer end wall fiap 25, adapted to be projected through registering apertures 38 in the portions of the intermediate and inner end wall fiaps 24 and 23 projecting above the end wall fiap 25, the ends of the tongues 31 to be bent over to fasten the three overlying end Wall flaps in position surrounding the pipe section |2.

In applying the trough ||J to a field joint the flat cardboard blank |5 is slid underneath the bottom of the pipe Sections |2 and coupling |3 forming the field joint, and positioned so that the longitudinal medial aXis of the central bottom panel |6 lies in substantially the same vertical plane as the axis of the pipe line. The side panels and |3 are then folded upwardly along` the score lines |9 into an upright position, the upper securing tabs 2|l are folded inwardly until their ends overlap, and the tongue of the metal fasteners 2| are then bent through the accommodating apertures 2| in the opposite tab to hold the side Wall panels in erect position.

The inner end wall fiap 23 and intermediate end wall fiap 24 are then successively pivoted inwardly along the score lines 26 and 21, the halves of each of the fiaps 23 and 24 defined by the inclined slit 34 therein being spread to permit the pipe section |2 to be received in the accommodating apertures defined by the circular score lines 3|' and orange peel sectors 32. The orange peel sectors 32 are urged outvvardly away from the center `of the mold trough, to overlie the surface of the pipe section |2, as illustrated in Figure 2, the orange peel sectors of the intermediate end wall fiap 34 overlying the radial cuts 32' forming the orange peel sectors of the inner end wall fiap 23 to resist Seepage of the molten coating material therethrough.

The outer end wall fiap 25 forrning the retaining ring for the pipe accommodating apertures 3| of the intermediate and inner flaps 24 and 23 is then folded upwardly along its score line 28, the halves of the fiap 25 defined by the slot 36 being spread to permit the pipe section |2 and the orange peel sectors 32 of the flaps 24 and 23 to be received in the circular opening 35. The tongues of the metal fasteners 37 on the outer fiap 25 are then bent through the registering apertures 38 of the intermediate and inner fiaps 24 and 23 and bent downwardly' to secure the overlying fiaps 25, 24 and 23 in position. It

6 may be desirable to tie a string around the out- Wardly projecting orange peel sectors of the end flaps 24 and 23 to give further security against seepage of molten coating material through the pipe accommodating apertures 3|.

This molding trough, coupled to the pipe sections |2 and about the field joint in the manner just described, is then in proper form for the molten coating material, such as hot pipe coating enamel formed from pitch, asphalt or other bituminous products, to be poured into the mold trough, to form a continuous body of coating material about the exposed steel pipe sur'faces l4' and dresser coupling |3 to thoroughly encase the exposed sections and prevent corrosive action through contact of soil therewith. The provision of pipe accommodating apertures in the 'end walls and the dimensions of the end walls and side and bottom panels insure that the molding surfaces of the trough are disposed at proper 'distances from the pipe and coupling to provide proper thickness of coating material at all points. T'he molten coating material is preferably of the Same or similar composition as the pre-formed coating on the pipe Sections |2, so that a continuous homogeneous coating about the pipe and field joint results.

It Will be apparent that the present device makes possible a substantial saving in labor costs previously involved in laying out pipe lines for city gas and the like, as it makes available a simple and inexpensive mold which can be stored and shipped in flat, stacked condition, which is constructed from inexpensive expendable materials, which is sufiiciently simple to be assembled by unskilled labor, and which is so designed relative to the dimensions of the joint parts to insure proper thickness of coating over all exposed parts of the pipe joint.

While but one specific embodiment of the inventon has been particularly shown and described, it is apparent that various modifications may be made in the invention Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is desired therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and set forth in the appended claims. l

What is claimed is:

1. An upwardly opening mold trough folded from a blank of Sheet material and having a bottom and opposing side and end walls to be fitted in spaced relation about a pipe field joint for molding corrosion-resistant coatings thereon, each of said end Walls comprising a plurality of overlying end wall fiaps integral with and folded into overlying relation from said bottom ;and side walls, at least one of said end wall flaps having pipe-receiving openings therein formed of scores of substantially the cross section of pipe joined by said field joint and hinged tabs radiating inwardly from said scores to be bent outwardly of said trough to overlie the surface of said pipe, and another of said overlying end wall fiaps having an 'aperture therein to receive said pipe and projecting tabs therethrough and form a retaining ring therefor.

2. An upwardly opening mold trough folded from a blank of Sheet material and having a bottom and opposing side and end walls to be fitted in spaced relation about a pipe field joint for molding corrosion-resistant coatings thereon, each of said end walls comprising three overlying end Wall flaps integral With and folded into overlying relation from said bottom and side walls, the two innermost of said end Wall fiaps having pipe-receiving openings therein formed of scores of substantially the cross section of pipe joined by said field joint and hinged tabs radiating inwardly from said scores to be bent outwardly of said trough to overlie the surface of said pipe, and the outermost one of said overlying end Wall fiaps having an aperture therein to receive said pipe and projecting tabs therethrough and form a retaining ring therefor.

3. An upwardly opening mold trough folded from a blank of sheet material and having a bottom and opposing side and end Walls to be fitted in spaced relation about a pipe field joint for molding corrosion-resistant coatings thereon, each of said end walls comprising three overlying end Wall fiaps integral With and folded into overlying relation from said bottom and side Walls, the two innermost of said end Wall fiaps having pipe-receiving openings therein formed of scores of substantially the cross section of pipe joined by said field joint and hinged orange peel sectors integral with said flaps and radiating inwardly from said scores to be bent outwardly of said trough to overlie and be bound to the surface of said pipe, and the outermost one of said overlying end wall flaps having an aperture therein to receive said pipe and orange peel sectors therethrough and form a retaining ring therefor.

4. In a mold trough, the combination clamed in claim 3 Wherein said orange peel sectors are fornied by inwardly radiating cuts extending from said opening-forming scores and the radial cuts in said two innermost end wall fiaps are positioned in staggered relation so that the sectors of the outermost of said innermost flaps overlie the radial cuts of the innermost fiap.

5. An upwardly opening mold trough folded from a blank of cardboard Sheet material and having a bottom and opposing side and end walls to be fitted in spaced relation about a pipe field joint for molding corrosion-resistant coatings thereon, each of said end Walls comprising a first end Wall fiap folded inwardly from one of said side wall panels, a second end Wall flap folded inwardly from the opposing side wall panel into overlying relation With said first end Wall panel, said first and second end walls having pipe receiving openings comprising aligned scored apertures bounded by hinged projecting fingers radiating inwardly from said scores to be disposed along the surface of said pipe Sections, and a third end Wall fiap hingedly connected to said bottom and folded upwardly therefrom to overlie said first and second end wall fiaps having a circular aperture therein accommodating said pipe section and outwardly projecting triangular elements to form a retaining ring therefor.

6. An upwardly opening mold trough folded from. a blank of cardboard sheet material and having a bottom and opposing side and end walls to be ffitted in spaced relation about a pipe field joint for molding corrosion-resistant coatings thereon, each of said end Walls comprising an inner end wall fiap hingedly connected along one side thereof to one of said side Wall panels, an intermediate end wall flap hingedly connected along one side thereof to the opposing side Wall panel and folded into overlying relation with said inner end Wall panel, said end Walls having pipe :':eceiving openings comprising aligned scored apertures bounded by hinged projecting fingers radiating inwardly from said scores to be disposed along the surface of said pipe sections, and an outer end Wall flap hingedly connected to said bottom and folded upwardly therefrom to overlie said inner and intermediate end wall fiaps having a circular aperture therein accommodating said pipe section and outwardly projecting triangular elements to form a retaining ring therefor.

7. In a mold trough for forming corrosionresistant coatings about pipe field joints, the combination recited in claim 6 Wherein said projecting fingers are formed by cuts radiating in- Wardly from said scores and the cuts of said inner and intermediate fiaps are staggered Whereby the fingers of said intermediate flap overlie the radiating cuts of said inner flap.

8. A mold trough formed from a blank of cardboard Sheet material and adapted to be fitted about field pipe jOints for forming molded envelopes of corrosion-resistant material about the pipe joints, comprising a bottom panel, a pair of side Wall panels hingedly connected to said bottom panel along opposite sides thereof by score lines, securing tabs hingedly connected by score lines to each of said side wall panels to be secured together to hold said side Wall panels in erect position, and an end Wall assembly disposed in upright relation to the bottom panel at each end thereof comprising an inner pair of overlying end wall fiaps each hingedly connected along one side thereof to said side wall panels and disposed in overlying relation to each other, each of said end Wall flaps having axially aligned pipe receiving openings centrally disposed therein each comprising a circular score of substantially the diameter of the pipe and inwardly radiating triangular sectors defined by radial cuts extending from said circular score to be projected out into overlying relation over the surface of the pipe to be bound thereto, and an outer end Wall fiap hingedly connected along its bottom to the end of said bottom panel and folded in erect position overlying said end Wall fiaps, said outer flap having a circular aperture therein to fit around the pipe and triangular sectors and form a retaining ring therefor, said inner pair of end wall fiaps and said outer end Wall flap each hav-V ingV slits therein extending from the opening therein to a free edge thereof to permit said flaps to be spread about the pipe section and seat the pipe section in said openings.

9. In a mold trough formed from a blank of cardboard, the combination recited in claim 8 Wherein the radial cuts forming said triangular f sectors of said inner pair of fiaps areV in staggered relation disposing the triangular sectors of one of said flaps in overlying relation to the radial cuts of the other of said fiaps.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Snyder Mar. 6, 1951 

